Mask for excluding ambient sounds



Oct. 17, 1950 H. L. WEBB 2,526,177

MASK FOR EXCLUDING AMBIENT SOUNDS Filed May 7, 1946 INVENTOR HORACE L. WEBB ATTORNE Y Patented Oct. 17, 1950 MASK FOR EXCLUDING AMBIENT SOUNDS Horace-L. Webb, San Francisco, .Calif., assignmto Dictavox Company, Inc., Washington, .D. .C.,

a corporation of'De'laware.

Application May 7, 1946, Serial No. 667,827

.4 Claims. 1

This invention relates toa dictating mask.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a mask to cover the :mouth, nose and part of the face of a person dictating into a device for the purpose of recording, in such a manner that the :voice .of the person dictating is not heard by others. The principal purpose of this dictat ing mask is to allow direct dictation into recording machines instead of .stenographic or the like notes which latter thereafter must be dictated in such machines for the purpose of transcribing the same. The invention has a 'variety ofuses, for instance it may be used by court reporters, or reporters at hearings or other occasions, wherein testimony or other "discussion atconferences or the like can be immediately dictated *by the one taking the report without disturbing "the participants in the'discussion or hearing. The direct taking of such notes onto a record making 'apparatus of any suitable type, facilitates transcribing and expedites the obtaining of transcripts of hearings and the like.

The features of this invention include amask which covers the nose and mouth yet permits the breathing of outside air by theperson dictating without allowing sound to escape to the outside of the mask except to the recording apparatus througha microphone vor'transmitter device in the mask; another feature is anabsorbent lining inside the mask which may be interchangable so that if the mask is used "by different persons they,-after each use, can replacethel'ining, said absorbent lining tor pad absorbs moisture caused either by perspirati'on or other condensation from the mouth, nose or pores 'of the person using it; another feature is the flexible and easy connection of the microphone or transmitter held at the .point of the mask in such away that the head of the operator can be turned in various directions to watch the lips or faces of the persons whose testimony or statements have to be transcribed or reported, and also to watch all events at the'hearing and obtain a more complete and full report than it is possible in case of stenographic notes or the like; another feature of the invention is the provision of a suitable mask which can be easily heldon the face of .the operator by a handle or 'by a strap or the like without inconvenience and provide a soundproof dictating chamber on the face, yet allowunobstructed breathing and facilitate direct recording by sound transcription, and which excludes exterior sounds from the mask and the microphone.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dictating mask which is highly useful and simple in construction. Convenience of arrangement, lightness and comparative inexpense of manufacture are further objects which have been borne in-mind in the production'and development of the invention.

The essential features of the inventioniinvolved I the section being taken on lines 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view showing the mounting of the microphone on-the mask;

Fig. 5 is a perspective'view of the transmitter or mircophone in a mask showing the detachable connection of the transmitter wire or line to said microphone; and,

Fig. 6 is a'perspective'viewof a slightly modified form of my mask.

In carrying out my invention Imake use of a mask I which is preferably of a frusto-conica'l shape, themouth'piece or end 2 of which is sufiiciently large to cover such portion of the face as necessary to confine the sound of dictation to the microphone within the mask and to exclude exterior sounds from the mask and the mike. The illustrative form of 'the mask I herein fits over the nose, face and chin ofthe wearer or operator, as indicated in Fig. 1. The mask body is preferably made of flexible material such as rubber or fabric or the'like. The narrower or smaller end ofthe mask I is' formed'intoa retaining flange 3 which is made with an elastic bead or the like for the purpose of gripping the rim 4 of a microphone 6 of the electronic transmitter type. A

' strap -I is the illustrative form for holding the mask in place. This strap 1 is suitably secured in loops 8 on the large end or mouth piece 2 of the mask. 1, and is adapted to be placed around the head and tightenedfor holding the mouth piece 2 of the mask I tightly against the contour of the face of the operator. A handle 5 extends from the lower side of the mask I, so that the mask may be held inplace by hand in the event a strap is undesirable.

The mask has a plurality of vents 9 on the upper portion on the opposite sides so that the said vents 9 are located on the opposite sides of the nose of the wearer. The vents extend from the edge of the larger end 2 of the mask I to a limited extent inwardly taper away at apoint spaced from the face to allow the entry of air to facilitate breathing of the operator.

'Inside of the .maskl is inserted an absorbent lining M. This absorbent lining H is made in the form of a frusto-conical lining conforming to the inner periphery or surface of said mask I and extends from the larger mouth 2 to and the microphone 6 so as to prevent loss or escape of sound thereat. The absorbent lining I I in this form is made with dents or passages I2 spaced apart in the same manner as the vents 9 on the mask I so as to fit into the same and allow the passage of air therethrough. The additional function of the vents 9 in the mask I is the location and holding of the absorbent lining II in place. As the absorbent lining II extends to the larger end or mouth piece 2 of the mask I it lines the area which engages the face of the operator and thereby it prevents undue and unnecessary rubbing of the face by the mask material, and also absorbs perspiration or other moisture that may issue from the face of the user.

The microphone 6 is snapped in place as heretofore described to be held by the bead 3 at the smaller end of the mask I. It is preferable that the microphone be provided with a socket indicated at I3 in Fig. so that the mask may be handled as a separate unit and after in place on the face, a line I4 from the recording machine may be plugged into said socket l3 by a suitable plug I6.

In operation the operator fits the mask in place on the face in front of the nose and mouth as shown in Fig. 1 and holds the mask by the handle 5 or tightens the strap to hold the mask in position. Then the electrical connection to a suitable recording machine is completed by plugging the plug I6 into the socket I3 of the microphone 6. Thereafter the operator can easily view the entire hearing room and watch the proceedings and record all proceedings, testimony and conver ations in the mask which is transmitted through the microphone and the electrical conductor line I4 to a suitable electrical or electronic recording machine, not shown. After each use the operator may change the absorbent lining I I to a fre h lining, or if the reporters are changed during the hearing each may change the absorbent lining when he takes over the recording ma k, or carry his o n mask, as the need may ari e. The absorbent pad muiiles the sound so that the voice of the operator, as he dictates to report the proceedings, is taken by the micro hone and is concentrated to the microphone without the sound e caping into the hearing room and in anv way interfering with or disturbing the proceedings. The device is simple, is easy to handle, it does not require any adjustment and it greatly facilitates the direct oral reporting and recording of proceedings of the type where heretofore various stenographic or stenotype devices were utilized, and it entirely obviates the necessity for redictating reports taken at a hearing.

I claim:

1. In a dictating ma k structure. a hollow mask body of self-supporting material, said body having first and second ends, said first end being an open face engaging portion to fit over the mouth and nose of the operator while the body is manually held, an electrical microphone mounted within said body at said second end having a flexible conductor for attachment to a dictating machine, an absorbent pad lining the inside of said mask body and extending to said first end to engage the face, and a breather passage in the form of a groove in the inner surface of the body and open at said first end constituting the sole communication between the int rior of t e mask and the at o p ere. said absorbent pad interfitting into said groove.

2. In a dictating mask structure, a hollow mask body of self-supporting material, said body being frusto-conical to thereby provide relatively larger and smaller open ends, the larger end functioning to marginally contact the face of the dictator, said mask body having inwardly extending vent passage means in its inner surface open to the atmosphere at the margin of said larger end, said body adjacent said smaller end being elastic and provided with an internal annular groove, an electrical microphone removably located in said body having means in said groove form fitted by the elastic material whereby the latter snaps over the last-mentioned means, flexible conductor means for attachment to a recording machine, said flexible conductor means being in separable relation to the microphone and removably applicable to said micro phone at said open smaller end of the body.

3. In a dictating mask structure, a hollow mask body of self-supporting material having an open end portion to marginally contact the face of the dictator, an electrical microphone, contacting means on the body and microphone in spaced relation to said open end detachably supporting said microphone, and an absorbent lining form-fitting the interior of the mask body having a portion extending between said means on said body and microphone, said portion including means whereby the lining is removably held in place.

4. Dictating apparatus comprising a dictating machine, a hollow dictating mask body having first and second ends, said first end being an open face engaging portion to fit over the mouth and nose of the operator, an electrical mic'ro phone within said dictating mask body at said second end, a flexible conductor, said flexible conductor being connected to said dictating machine and said microphone, said mask body being of self-supporting material, said mask body at the second-mentioned end being made of elastic material whereby it snaps into engagement over said microphone, said mask body having a breather groove in its inner surface and open at said first end constituting the sole communication between the interior of the mask and the atmosphere. and an absorbent lining form-fitting the interior of the mask body having a portion extending between the same and said microphone whereby the lining is removably held in place, said lining extending to said first end.

HORACE L. WEBB.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

